The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1887-07-21
JEFFERSON DAVIS.
The Sage of Beauyoir Has Free Talk
With q Reporter.
From, the Netc Orleans Picdy,sne.

With q Reporter.
From the NeC Orleans Pic0usne.
Your correspondent visited Beauyoir to-
day to call upon Mr. Jefferson Dnvis Upon
arriving at the beautiful shore home of the
sx-Presidcnt of the Confederacy that gen
n.nau greeted the writer with
THE GRACEFUL COURTESY
Which is inscparable from his manner un-
der all circumstances. He has been recently
suffering from ull indiSpOSition, from which
he has not entirely recovered, but which does
not contine him to the house. although in
terfering with any extended excursions.
NJ Davis spoke with his usual enercaaic
way IN replying to the inteirogat6ifcs
which the correspondent prOpoundcd. The
conversation was substantially as follows:
''You have seen, presume, the article of
Col. J. Thomas Sclarf, published in the
Baltimore HerGidF" Mr. Davis was asked.
Not i'll its entirety replied Mr. Davis
SIT is said TO have covered about six col
urns IN tho HcTdLd and | have read only
portions OF 1t.
Are the statements contained in the pas
sages you have read colTect:n
Il was surprised to sec Col Scharf's arti-
Gle and have written to him on tho subject
Until 1 receive his reply l Shall make no
comments on the subject"
'HaYo you read the alleged interview
with
GEN. ROGER A. PRYOR
in New York in which he asserts that he
never heard Of the assassination plot and raises
a question Is 10 wbCtaCr you really made the
statements reported by Col. Scharf?"
YES" responded Mr. Davis. 81 have
seen that interview. The only attempt at
assassination was the incident which oc-
CARED ut Richmond and concerning which
LII, I'll
formed, as he was riding with me at the
time He knows the facts. L see he says
my horse was nervous and would not go on
but l am confident that mine was the best
in fact, that horse was one of the finest
Steeds ever rode
Mr. Davis having indicated disinclina-
ton to comment on the Scharf interview
in the absence of the reply to the letter he
has written to that gentleman, the CORES
p0ndent also inquired as TO the facts of
MIR. DUNCAN +. KENNER'S MISSION TO
EUROPE
in 1864, as an agent of the Confederate gov
eminent. Mr.. Davis said that he had not
read the statement recently published in
some newspapers, that Mr.. Kenner went to
Europe clothed with plenary power to su-
persede other Confederate agents, and to
pledge the Confederacy to the manumission
of the slaves in the event of recognition by
England or France The Picdyune at the
time of Mr. Kenner's death said that his
mission was of a financial character, being
aware of Mr.. Kenner's own statement to
friends that he was not authorized to pro-
pose the liberation of the slave population,
although this was a desperate resort
WHICH HE HIMSELF ADVOCATED
at Richmond Some Northern journals hav-
ing published what purported to have been
a statement made some years ago by Mr.
Kenner too contrary effect, the facts were
sought from Mr.. Davis. He said substan-
TALLY:
Il remember that Mr.. Kenner was sent to
Europe during the latter part of the war,
but my recollection is not clear as to the cir
cumstances under which he went [ am
sure he had no authority to make pledges of
the character mentioned. Who could have
given him such authority? Certainly not
the President or his Cabinet 1t was mat
ter for the decision of the States, and | am
sure Mr.. Kenner was not delegated to dis
place the representatives of the Confeder-
acy abrOad-Mr. Mason at London and Mr.
Slldell at Paris.
From this theme the conversation turned
to the present status of
EUROPEAN AFFAIRS,
with which Mr.. Davis spoke with the ease of
one who follows closely the course Of events.
intimate acquaintance with most diverse
matters, must constantly astonish all with
whom he cOnYerseS.
From European politics he readily turned
to the subject of grape culture-a subject
suggested by reference to the scuppernong
plantation Immediately in rear of the Beau
voir mansion. He described the different
varieties Of grape in this and foreign coun-
tries and pointed out their special excel
lenceS.
You have quiet home" remarked the
writer, looking out from the hall of the old
mansion across the peaceful, shady grounds
to the waters of the gulf beyond.
YES" replied Mr.. Davis, with a smile;
"a pleasant home for children and an old
m;Nln
And yet
THE NEWSPAPERS
follow You herel'
They will not let me rest in peace, it
seems, was the reply.
Later on casual reference to the condi-
ton of affairs in England and a COMPARE
son of its government with that of the
United States led Mr. Davis to remark that
1t was important that school history of the
United States should be written for the use
Of Southern youth which would correctly
Inform the children of the South on the polit-
zeal historyof this country and the principles
at the foundation of the government. He
was of opinion that there could be no mis-
apprehension as to those principles which
were matters of fact accessible to the histo-
RAN.
Several other topics were touched upon
end served chiefly to make manifest Mr..
Davis remarkable memory of men and
things. 1t seems that
HE NEVER FoRGETs
names and faces, and recalls the most triv-
llal incidents in the lives of persons whom he
has has known.
1t is probable that Mr.. Davis will pay his
usual visit to the camp grounds if his health
improves
INDIAN RIDERS